SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON POWERLINE PROGRAM

This instructional program developed in conjunction with Southern California Edison (SCE), is designed to provide basic knowledge for those who may choose to pursue a career in the Power Utility Industry. The program also helps current employees advance in knowledge and skill, the instructional materials are divided into four areas of training:  Equipment Operator; Pre- Power Line Technician, Pre-Electrician , and  Service Technician for allied utility companies.

Partnerships That Work

Nationwide, utilities are grappling with the inadequate pool of skilled craftspeople needed to keep their electric systems running reliably and replace employees who are eligible to retire.

In response, TDBU has cultivated three very special relationships with the East Los Angeles Skills Center, El Camino Community College and Rio Hondo Community College.

The East LA Skills Center is perhaps the most talked about vocational school in the greater Los Angles area, and SCE has had a working relationship with the institution for many years.  That relationship became stronger a little more than a year ago when Chuck Burnett, a manager in TDBU Training, took on the role of “loaned executive” at the school.  Burnett runs the Powerline Mechanics Training Program while providing guidance on a variety of other technical courses.  He started his association with the school way back in 1999 when he was selected to serve on the school’s advisory board. 

As part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the skills center offers a variety of classes in business, industry and technology, but the course that gets the most attention at the school is its powerline mechanics program - the course Burnett helped develop and now instructs. It covers basic mechanical and electrical principles associated with the electrical line workers trade.  Skills taught include safety, power pole climbing skills, basic tools and materials and alternate energy systems.

The day and night classes accommodate about 70 students in total and the waiting list sometimes tops 2,000.  Burnett runs the program with heavy student leadership, particularly when in the “yard,” an outdoor training facility complete with 45-foot power poles that the students must climb to perform training exercises to complete the course. 

“Graduates of this program have an obvious advantage when applying for jobs at utilities,” Burnett said, “and starting salaries for the future tradesperson can be very attractive.”

Work In Progress

Burnett also has been instrumental in developing programs at both Rio Hondo and El Camino Community Colleges.  Beginning this year, both schools are offering courses he helped develop.

“We are really pleased with these new courses,” said Tony Williams, the training manager for professional development in TDBU.  “They offer students (including Edison employees) an opportunity to build their power systems background, and it puts them in a better position to promote themselves within the technical trades.  They can also earn up to 16 college credits toward an Associate of Arts Degree.”

Williams said that SCE has been helping to develop the new community college programs for the past couple of years.  “We have been building the curriculum, providing subject matter expertise; supplying specialized materials when needed and helping the schools get ready to deliver the training. 

“The programs have been developed to create a more qualified and better prepared candidate pool for many of our technical trades,” Williams said.

Three courses have begun at Rio Hondo: Introduction to Electrical Industry, D.C. & A.C. Fundamentals, and OSHA Workplace Safety. 

“Eventually we will have five courses,” said Mike Slavich, Project Director and SCE interface at Rio Hondo.  “We will add Powerline Systems and Electrical Systems Components and when a student completes all five courses he or she will receive a skills certificate of completion.” 

El Camino Community College in Torrance has five courses that will soon be offered, as well, including: Introduction to the Electric Power Industry, Electric Power Industry Safety, Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Systems, Residential Electrical Wiring, and Basic Mathematics for Electronics. 

Students can earn up to 12 credits and receive a ‘Career Certificate” in Power Line Technology upon completion of all five courses.  Steve Cocca, El Camino professor of electronics and computer hardware technology sees the program as a “win/win” for El Camino and SCE.  “We help provide the training for these students to get into good jobs with companies like Edison,” he said.  “It really helps both of us and our communities.  We have a good relationship with Edison and I want to make it even stronger in the years to come.”

Filling the Gap

These programs are important.  “Because of attrition, mainly through retirement within several key technical and field positions over the next three to four years, the trade itself could be depleted of skilled workers,” said Burnett.

It takes three years to go from apprentice to journeyman.  “That means if you are going to need additional linemen three years from now, you have to start training them today,” Burnett said.  These programs provide companies with entry level employees who have the basic knowledge and skills to succeed.  And after finishing these courses it is a lot more likely that they will stay in the job.

Burnett, a 37-year SCE employee, helped create the lineman training facility in Chino where he managed the linemen and apprentice training programs.  He and his team renamed the program Powerline Trades, and created the school motto ‘Safe, Proud, and Professional.’

“I totally believe in what I do,” he said.  “We really need to have programs like this to not only fill the short-term gap but to ensure a continuous flow of pre-skilled employees.  These programs are open to our employees and to the community-at-large.”

Contact Information:

Steven Cocca
(310) 660-3617
scocca@elcamino.edu